LESSON TWELVE
LOVE FOR JESUS AT DEATH.
Jesus was thought to have been murdered and stopped from accomplishing His mission, by the leaders of His days. They missed it. He resurrected with sufficient proof. Do you believe these?
MEMORY SCRIPTURE
When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed (Matthew 27:59-60).
BRIEF COMMENT
Even though Joseph of Arimathea was more of a secret disciple of Jesus, he demonstrated his love for Jesus at death. His bold and courageous step in asking for Jesus’ corpse for the purpose of burial was a challenge. Being aware of the fact that Jesus had not even a house of His own, talk less of a grave; Joseph, out of love was determined to ensure that he assisted Him, although Jesus was crucified amidst two robbers, His grace would be with the rich, in tandem with the Word of God (Isa. 53:9).
Joseph’s love for Jesus at death was seen in his doggedness at doing some odd things uprooting the cross and laying it on the ground, drawing out the nails from hands and feet, laying the corpse reverently on the floor. What a self-denial! What a rare love!
More so, contact with a corpse, according to Jewish tradition, caused ceremonial defilement of Seven days’ duration, and this he would be debarred from participating in the oncoming Sabbath’s religious ceremony, the love of Jesus and the unselfish desire to render Him honour, enable him to rise against religious prejudices, and willing to make the required sacrifice. What a manner of love!
Overall, he buried Jesus’ corpse in his new tomb wherein no man had laid. He gave his new tomb, his time, money (bought new clean linen) and his life for Jesus. John 19:38-42 has more to tell us about Joseph’s love for Jesus, even at death.
Joseph loved Jesus and showed it in good works. Do you love Jesus? What are you doing to immortalise Him?
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon. 10: Being Crucified With Christ Enhance Love (Gal. 2:20)
Tue. 11: Be Careful: Walk in Christ’s Love (Col. 2:6-7)
Wed. 12: Be Grateful: Offer Acceptable Service (Heb. 12:28-29)
Thur. 13: Love for Christ Rejoices in Suffering (Rom. 5:2-5)
Fri. 14: Love God: His Love Endures Eternally (Psa. 136:26)
Sat. 15: Loving God Totally: Jesus’ Greatest Demand (Matt. 22:37-38)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
1. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Identifying with Christ’s gospel, even when murderously persecuted, shows your love for Him.
2. Therefore, we should not be surprised when suffering comes, being confident that it will produce things of eternal value.
3. We should not compare ourselves with others while striving to live for Jesus, since His love is already deeply rooted in our hearts.
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: 1 John 3:16
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
AIM: This one-week lesson is aimed at helping learners understand and be able to love Jesus and demonstrate same in the course of life.
OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, learners should:
i. be able to explain who Joseph of Arimathea and Mary, wife of Cleopas were, and how each showed their love for Jesus in His death;
ii. have better understood and be able to discuss the antidote to fear;
iii. have been more resolutely decided as to go all the way with Jesus, no mather the cost; and
iv. be able to defend that there is no useless part within the body of Christ.
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCE: MATTHEW 27:57, 60; MARK 15:42,46; LUKE 23:50FF; JOHN 19:38-40.
We thank God for bringing us to the last lesson in this series. This is lesson twelve. The eleventh lesson is a one-week lesson, taken last week. It is titled, Examples of Stephen and Paul. We saw how these legends of faith stood their ground for Christ in a sincere and daring demonstration of love for Him. You are admonished to follow suit: Risk all for the sake of He who gives His all for you.
This current one-week lesson brings to the fore two unsung hero and heroine who define all odds to show theirove for Christ at a very critical and trying time, in the anal of the followers of Christ. Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple of Christ; a prominent political and religious figure; rich and highly influencial. Yet, he came out of the blues, coming down from his ‘lofty height’ to request the body of Christ for burial.
Mary, the wife of Cleopas, is another figure. A quiet, committed and amiable disciple of the Lord, she was always there where the women were mentioned. She was faithfully devoted to the Lord, even as far as the cross. And going early to anoit the Lord’s body, she met His tomb empty.
May God bless you as you read on and study these characters with open heart.
INTRODUCTION TO EACH DIVISION
DIVISION I: LOVE FOR JESUS AT DEATH
This lesson is a one-week adventure, and has just one division LOVE FOR JESUS AT DEATH, which is further broken into A and B, Joseph of Arimathea and Mary, Wife of Cleopas respectively. It discusses, the panoramic appearance and demonstration of role in respect of their love for Jesus after His death. It is geared toward challenging you to arise and stand for Jesus at crucial time as this.
LESSON OUTLINE
I. LOVE FOR JESUS AT DEATH
A. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA
B. MARY, WIFE OF CLOPAS
LESSON EXPOSITION
I. LOVE FOR JESUS AT DEATH
Jesus did not die alone. Perfect love had cast out all fear and these ones were no longer afraid to identify with Jesus, and were ready to do anything to honour and preserve His corpse. Be ready to make a deliberate and delicate choice to stand for, and with Jesus no matter what betides.
A. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA (Lk. 23:26-54)
Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body (v. 52).
i. vv. 26ff: It was like a very dark day for the followers of Jesus, on Golgotha, when He died (cf. Jn. 19:17-18); and the disciples all forsook him in that final hour (cf. Jn. 16:32).
ii. His body seemed to be in danger of the fate that usually awaited the bodies of common criminals; and there was fear that it could be hauled into the first grave that could be found to shelter it.
iii. vv. 50,51: Suddenly, Joseph of Arimathea, of whom we have never heard before, and of whom we never hear again, made his appearance. He was a man possessing the kind of influence that was most effective with Pilate —- rich man, counsellor, member of the Sanhedrin, person of significance and character.
iv. v. 51: He had not consented… Despite being a council member, he didn’t agree with Jesus’ sentence. Why? He loved the Lord. No wonder he is described as one waiting for the kingdom of God (cf. 1:5,6; 23:51,38)).
v. v. 52: His initial fears that made him remain a secret disciple of Jesus, notwithstanding, Jesus’ death changed things: coming and taking courage, (he) went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus (Mk. 15:43).#
vi. vv. 53,54: Having secured the body from Pilate (Mk. 15:44,45), Joseph made sure Jesus was given a befitting burial (cf. Deut. 21:22,23) with linen, and laid in a new tomb covered with a stone (cf. Matt. 27:66). Only love could have made him go these extra miles.
vii.It could well have been that it was Joseph who gave the gospel writers all the information about the trial and burial because none of the disciples was there. He loved Jesus indeed!
B. MARY, WIFE OF CLEOPAS (Jn. 19:25)
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene (Jn. 19:25).
i. Given the anticipation (WHT next?) associated with Jesus’ death, even women were lurking around His cross while still there, and the grave, after burial (Matt. 28:1). Among these was Mary, wife of Clopas, who was almost unknown, until that time (Jn. 19:25).
ii. She was, no doubt, an avowed lover and follower of Jesus, who was among the women at the tomb on the Easter morning (Mk. 16:1), referred to as the other Mary (Matt. 28:1), to distinguish her from Mary Magdalene and Jesus’; and of course, to acknowledge her presence.
iii. She, with the other women had obviously planned their visit and intention, for they still had to forgo the rest to purchase spices later that day, after Sabbath had officially ended (Mk. 16:1). Genuine love knows no pain, no matter the stress!
iv. Even if not much was said about her during Jesus’ lifetime, her devotion and loyalty to Jesus were sincerely demonstrated in His death.
v. Mary, wife of Cleopas represents many of us that are faithful followers, unknown to the world but know unto God.
LESSONS DERIVED
1. Love is the antidote to fear and tyranny.
2. Death cannot quench or imprison love for Christ and the loved ones.
QUESTIONS
1. Who was Joseph of Arimathea, and how did he show his love for Jesus at death?
2. Describe Mary, wife of Cleopas and her love for the Saviour.
SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
ANSWER TO QUESTION 1
i. Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy man who buried the body of Jesus after the crucifixion (Matt. 27:57).
ii. He came from Arimathea; in Judea; that is why he is so-called to distinguish him from other Josephs in the Bible (Lk. 23:51).
iii. He was a good and righteous man who managed to be both a member of the council (the Sanhedrin) and a secret supporter of Jesus which is why he did, not join in the council’s actions against Jesus (Lk. 23:50-51; Mk. 15:43).
iv. After Jesus’ death, he went to Roman governor, Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus at great risk to himself and his reputation.
v. He was granted custody of Jesus’ body, and in company with Nicodemus (another secret disciple and a member of the Sanhedrin), immediately, prepared the body for burial.
iv. He buried Jesus in an unused tomb that was intended for himself and protected it by a heavy stone rolled against the opening (Matt. 27:59-60).
ANSWER TO QUESTION 2
Mary, wife of Cleopas was a devoted and loyal follower of Jesus, who was almost unknown during Jesus’ lifetime because she wasn’t specifically mentioned.
– Her love for Jesus:
(a) She was among the women lurking around while Jesus was hanged on the cross.
(b) She was among the women who left their homes and hit the road with Jesus, just like the disciples. She gave up all that was near and dear to her in what is called home (cf. Matt. 16:24; Lk. 14:26, 33).
✔️ Provided comfort for Jesus as He looked out in His agony, seeing them at a distance.
✔️ She was there with other women to purchase spice and anoint the body of Jesus.
✔️ She ignored pain and stress to show love for Jesus even in His death.
LIFE APPLICATION
During His trial and death, majority of them whom Jesus supported and showed the reason for His existence, were nowwhere to be found. There were also some who were secret admirers, believers and followers of Jesus. These set of people matter most in His death because they were the ones who packed His corpse, took care of it and gave Him befitting burial. Such is life and relationships. The one who started a journey with you may not see it through with you; some others will join midway, and others at the end. Let all of them successfully play major and crucial roles in the story of your life.
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CONCLUSION
This lesson has successfully revealed to us that, each one of us has our places and roles in the body of Christ. We must not look down on ourselves neither must we be partial. Jesus recognises, appreciates and rewards us all. Find your place and play your role. This is the end of the lessons in this series. Let us internalise all that we have learnt through His Spirit, as we are prayerfully expecting His manifestation in new dimensions in the next series. God bless you.